The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for the possibility of Kirk Cousins leaving in free agency and are considering Sam Darnold as a potential replacement. The team sees Darnold as a young quarterback with untapped potential, especially after spending a year in Kyle Shanahan’s system. Despite Darnold’s struggles and his label as a former high draft pick who has played for multiple teams, the Vikings believe he could turn his career around.
Darnold, who showed promise after being traded to the Carolina Panthers, has the arm strength and accuracy that made him a top prospect coming out of USC. He performed well in limited opportunities, including a 4-2 record as a starter to close out the 2022 season for the Panthers. Darnold’s experience with Shanahan’s coaching could further enhance his development.
While some may view replacing Cousins with Darnold as a downgrade, the Vikings could use the cap savings from Darnold’s potentially lower contract to bolster other areas of the roster. Former NFL executive Randy Mueller believes that Darnold’s affordability, compared to Cousins’ potential $45 million per year contract, could be appealing to the coaching staff and could allow the team to make other impactful moves.
Overall, while the move would be seen as a risk, the Vikings are considering Darnold as a viable option to lead their team in the 2024 season, alongside a potential rookie quarterback as part of their long-term vision.
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